Gauge handle



Des. 21, 1943. V J. B. ppm 7 2,337,461.

7 GAUGE HANDLE Filed Nov. 25, 1942 I INV/ENTOR: JErseph/flFzlki;

ATTORNEY;

Patented Dec. 21, 1943 S ATENT OFFlCE 10 Claims.

The present invention relates to gauge handles and more particularl to a handle for use with taper lock plug gauges.

Handles of the taper lock type now in use are relatively expensive to manufacture by reason of the operations necessary, since each is formed from bar stock which must be cut to size, bored lengthwise, and reamed or otherwise machined to provide the tapered hole for the reception of the shank of the plug gauge. Also, drift holes or slots have to be drilled or broached in order that the gauge plugs can be ejected or released by the use of a drift pin. Furthermore, each handle so formed of bar stock is heavier than required to efficiently carry out the function of holding and supporting the gauge section in use.

Some of the objects of the present invention are: to provide an improved handle for taper lock plug gauges; to provide such a handle that is cheap and easy to manufacture; to provide ahandle for taper lock plug gauges which reduces the manufacturing processes to a minimum; to provide a handle wherein the usual boring and drilling operations now necessary inmaking bar stock H handles are eliminated; to provide a handle which is approximately one sixth as heavy as a handle made from bar stock; to provide a handle which is efficient in operation and maintains th required sensitiveness for gauging operations; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a handle for a plug gauge embodying one form of the present invention; and

showing in dotted lines a plug gauge in operat 1e position; Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the handle; Fig, 3 represents a section on line 3 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 represents a perspective of the parts in position for assembling.

Referring to the drawing, one form of the pres ent invention consists of a handle it for supporting and properly manipulating a plug gauge l! of the taper lock type. In accordance with the invention the body of the handle it is formed by two elongated plates 12 and I3, preferably of equal length and each of which is stamped or otherwise formed from relatively thin sheet metal, such as steel, in order to provide a rugged,

rigid member suitable for the requirements of use.

The plate l2 has a generally rectangular body portion terminating at opposite ends respectively in pairs of prongs it. These prongs M are formed during the preferred one-operation stampin and the member thus appears as a relatively narrow elongated plate having bifurcated ends with end recesses 15. The plate is is preferably a counterpart of the plate I 2 and is formed in the same manner, and hence has end bifurcations forming respectively pairs of prongs IS with end recesses ll bounded respectivel by the pairs of prongs. The depth of the several recesses l5 and I1 is such as will allow the shank i8 of the plug gauge H to enter and properly locate the gauging-section of the plug for accurate use.

In order to bring the recesses 55 into register respectively with the recesses I! to form two shank receiving sockets, the plate l2 has a slot 2! opening into one recess l5 at one end and ex tending lengthwise of the plate 2 a distance necessary for the contemplated interlocking of the two plates as will be explained. The plate i3 is also formed with a slot 22 opening into one recess l! and extending lengthwise of the plate iii a distance corresponding to that of the slot 2!. Laterally considered, the slots 2! and 22 are equidistant from the sides of the plates and henc the two plates can be fitted together in an approximately telescopic relation with each slot straddling a portion of the body of the other plate. Both slots 2! and 22 are of uniform width and each. so closely approximates the thickness of the plate to be engaged as to make a snug friction Thus, when the two plates are brought end to end and then forced together, a handle of cruciform cross-section is formed while the pairs. of interseating recesses 55 and l! are in register as circumferentially considered and thus provide the end sockets referred to.

For the purpose of providing the desired taper lock of the shank ill, the opposed faces 23 bounding each recess i5 are inwardly tapered at an angle co-mplemental to the tapered wall of the plug shank !8. Also, the opposed faces 26 bounding each recess I? are inwardly tapered at an angle complemental to the tapered wall of the plug shank l8. Hence, each complete skeletonlike socket is accurately dimensioned and shaped to provide a friction lock for the gauge shank I3 when the two parts, namely, the handle ill and the plug gauge shank l8, are pressed together.

As a means to prevent outward deflection of the pairs of prongs l4 and it, when a plug shank enters a socket, two ferrules 25 and 23 are provided, one for each end of the handle and dimensioned to have an internal diameter to fit snugly tightly about the outer edge faces of the aforesaid prongs. In order to maintain a uniform width to the handle throughout its ,quired for sensitive work.

length, each outer edge of the prongs l4 and 'l6 is cut away as at 30 to a depth equal to the thickness of the ferrule wall, and to a length substantially that of the ferrule. The end of each ferrule terminates in an annular flange 2! which forms a hole 28 having a diameter less than the distance between the outer edges of each prong pair but greater than the distance between the inner edgesof the same prong pair. Thus, the two flanges 21 serve to protect the ends of the prongs from damage in use, while permitting the free entry of the gauge plug shank. It should be noted that the length of each ferrule is less than the depth of the socket about which it fits in order to laterally expose that portion 'of the socket which is beyond the end of the gauge plug shank when the latter is taper locked in its socket. In this way it is possibleto insert a drift pin or other implement laterally of the socket to eject the gauge whenever necessary. It should also be noted that the ferrules serve the important function of restricting any outward spreading of the prongs in use and thus ensure a solid grip on the shank regardless of how many times a plug gauge is put in or taken out of thehandle.

In other words, there is no chance forshake or wink to interfere with the sensitive feel so necessary in gauges of this type. Thus, when the handle is assembled with a gauge, the taper lock possesses the rigidity of a solid gauge.

It will now be apparent that a novel gauge handle has :been devised wherein material has been reduced to a minimum without detriment to the efficiency of such a handle. While relatively light in weight it has all the rigidity re- It is inexpensive to manufacture since it requires about one sixth the material now used in the standard gauges made from bar stock. Furthermore, the double ended construction permits the simultaneous mounting of both ,go and no go gauges. Also, it should be noted that the cruciform construction provides eight separate surfaces, any one or all of which can be used for indicia denoting gauge size or other informative data.

The low cost of manufacture is apparentsince the plates l2 and l3 aremade by stampings by the useof accurately designed dies. While-the ferrules 25 and 26 serve to prevent spreading of the prongs, another important function is to maintain the handle plates positively locked at all times.

While only a single form is' shown in which this invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that the invention is'not'limited to any specific construction, but might be applied to various forms without departing from the 3. As a new article of manufacture a gauge handle of cruciform transverse section throughout its length having prongs at one end forming a shank receiving socket, and a ferrule encircling said prongs.

4. As a new article of manufacture a gauge handle of cruciform transverse section throughout its length having prongs at one end forming a tapered shank receiving socket, and a ferrule encircling said prongs.

5. A handle for taper lock plug gauges, consisting of two plates extending radially from a common axis, and prongs extending from one end of said plates to'form together a shank receiving socket, the socket bounding edges of said prongs being tapered complementally to the tapered shank of a plug gauge.

6. A handle for taper lock plug gauges consisting of two plates extending radially from a common axis, and two sets of prongs extending respectively from the ends of said plates to form respectively two shank receiving sockets, the socket bounding edges of the prongs of each socket being tapered complementally to the tapered shank of a plug gauge.

7. A handle for taper lock plug gauges, consisting of two plates extending radially from a common axis, prongs extending from one end of said plates to form together a shank receiving socket, the socket bounding edges of said prongs being tapered complementally to the tapered shank of a plug gauge, and means to prevent spreading of said prongs when a shank enters said socket.

8. A handle for taper lock plug gauges, consisting of two plates extending radially from a common axis, prongs extending from one end of said plates to form together a shank receiving socket, the socket bounding edges of said prongs being tapered complementally to the tapered shank of a plug gauge, and a ferrule fitted about said prongs to prevent spreading when a shank enters said socket.

9. A handle for taper lock plug gauges, consisting of two plates complementally slotted for telescopic assembly with the respective plate planes radiating from a common axis, each plate terminating at opposite ends in a pair of prongs, the pairs of prongs of one plate being respectively adjacent the pairs of prongs of the other plate to form two tapered gauge shank receiving sockets, and ferrules respectively fitted about the prong pairs to prevent spreading thereof.

10. A handle for taper lock plug gauges, consisting of two plates complementally slottedfor telescopic assembly with the respective plate planes radiating from a common axis, each plate terminating at opposite ends in a pair of prongs, the pairs of prongs of one plate being respectively adjacent the pairs of prongs of the other plate to form two tapered gauge shank receiving sockets, ferrules respectively fitted about the prong pairs to prevent spreading thereof, and an annular flange on each ferrule to abut the ends of the adjacent prongs without obstructing the mouth of the adjacent socket.

JOSEPH B. FUHR. 

